Page 91 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

Allegra's pout melted into giggles as she basked in her father's attention.

As Allegra's giggles subsided, Kian glanced at his watch. "We should head out."

"I just need to put my shoes on." She pushed to her feet and walked over to the couch where she'd left them.

After gathering Allegra's things, they headed out the door with their daughter riding on Kian's shoulders and Syssi carrying a small bag with a few toys and a diaper change.

As they walked toward Annani's home in the village, Syssi ran through the vision again in her mind, organizing the details and strategizing the delivery. She didn't want to disappoint Annani, but she didn't want to oversell her vision either.

"It'll be alright." Kian seemed to sense her unease. "My mother is the strongest person I know, and she will not fall apart because you don't have a definitive answer for her."

As they approached Annani's door, Kian shifted his grip on Allegra's legs to one hand and rang the bell with the other.

After a moment, the door swung open to reveal Oridu, his face impassive as always. "Welcome, Master Kian, Mistress Syssi, and Mistress Allegra," he said in his melodious voice. "The Clan Mother is expecting you. Please, come in."

The Odu led them through the living area and into the dining room, where a table was already set for lunch, and a highchair was ready for Allegra. The only one missing was Annani.

The Odu pulled out a chair for Syssi and then for Kian. "The Clan Mother will join you momentarily," he announced before gliding silently out of the room.

As Kian settled Allegra into the highchair, Syssi took in the spread before them. The table was laden with an array of dishes, some of them Kian's favorites and some hers.

Annani always made a point of treating Syssi as a beloved daughter, and Syssi never failed to appreciate it.

Kian leaned over and took her hand. "Trust in your gift, my love. It will not steer us wrong."

Syssi wanted to say that her gift might decide that it was better for them not to know what had happened to Khiann, but she kept it to herself. There was no need to repeat what Kian already knew, especially not with Annani within earshot.

65

ANNANI

"Apologies, Clan Mother." Oridu bowed from the open door to her room. "Master Kian, Mistress Syssi, and Mistress Allegra are here."

Annani turned and smiled. "Tell them that I will be there in a moment."

As he bowed again and turned on his heel, she let out a long breath.

The call from Kian earlier that morning had set her nerves on edge. He had mentioned good news, but the fact that he and Syssi had Allegra could suggest otherwise. In Annani's experience, children were often brought along to soften the blow of difficult news.

It also could mean that they wanted to please her.

Annani loved spending time with her grandchildren, especially when they were still so young. There was nothing like holding a baby in her arms, kissing their soft cheeks, hearing their babbling, and watching their shenanigans.

Life did not make much sense without those experiences.

Without love, everything seemed pointless.

Annani sighed. She was not in a great mood today, and some of it had to do with her conversation of the previous night with her own grandmother and her friend the Supreme Oracle.

Their words of caution about visions and the unpredictable nature of precognition echoed in her mind. If the Supreme Oracle herself warned her against putting too much faith in foresight, she should heed that advice.

"Visions can be confusing," the queen had said.

"They can be misleading and are rarely helpful," the Oracle had added.

Annani had countered with Syssi's previous vision that had led to finding the pod, but the Oracle had not been impressed. "On rare occasions, foresight can be useful, which is why I have a role and receive lavish accommodations and privileges for performing it, but I know from experience that the instances of visions providing a clear path are few and far between."

The entire conversation had left Annani unsettled. If even the Supreme Oracle of Anumati could not provide clear guidance on interpreting visions, what hope did they have of finding Khiann through Syssi's foresight?